The flatshare is a such a delightful book. I found that I couldn't put it down, even reading it on holiday from the train to Naples!

I enjoyed the fact that Leon and TIffy first comucate by post it notes. You as the reader read how their relationship grows and you can't wait until they actually meet in the flesh.

The flatshare sometimes had me grinning like a loon, but also hade almost shouting at the book

The flatshare is a perfect holiday read.

So when is the film version coming out?

Thank you to and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. As always, all opinions are my own.
Wow is all I have to say about this book. I feel like when you get to a certain stage of reading, you can read several books that start to feel very samey and nothing seems to stand out anymore. This doesn’t by any way mean that these are bad books, simply that it starts to take more to shock me with thrillers for example or make me super interested if it’s a romance for example. And this book just hit it out of the park with being individual and memorable and it did it so well!
The flatshare is about Tiffy and Leon who end up sharing a flat (duh) in the strangest yet somehow extremely plausible way in London. Leon works nights so is never in the flat on a night and Tiffy works through the day and therefore won’t be in the flat during the day. Tiffy ends up breaking up with her boyfriend and then looking for a place to live when she finds Leon is looking for a flatmate to live in his flat in the evenings and on the weekends only. They’d never meet and they’d share a bed – yes I know, seems crazy to begin with but with some of the ‘rooms’ and studios I’ve seen for rent in London recently it’s actually not as weird as it seems.
So this is obviously only going to head in one direction; with Tiffy and Leon ending up together but the journey between them actually getting there is just fantastic. They end up communicating via post-it notes which works surprisingly well and actually manage to not bump into each other whilst sharing the flat. Somehow this book managed to combine the relationship between Tiffy and Leon and it’s development with a side-story of Leon trying to release his brother from prison and Tiffy getting involved to side stories with Tiffy and her ex. Yet it’s all told so well and it was just enough – the side stories didn’t take over the main plot and they also weren’t so insignificant that it left you wanting to know more.
Through all this, Tiffy is also struggling with her break-up and I just want to give Beth O’Leary a massive hug and pat on the back as I personally feel that she portrayed a toxic emotional relationship so very well. The relationship wasn’t a physically abusive relationship however it did include gaslighting and like I said, I think it was portrayed so well. From being in an emotionally abusive relationship previously, I found myself nodding at things that happened through this book and I was able to relate so well. I feel it walked you through all the thought processes of an emotionally abusive relationship so very well and Tiffy’s friends were so fantastic in supporting her no matter what her decision.
I would 100% recommend this book if you’re looking for a great pick me up or a great summer beach read. I was so apprehensive going into this yet it delivered above and beyond my expectations and this is quite definitely going to be a book I can see myself re-reading in the future!

‘The Flatshare’ isn’t your conventional romantic comedy however that is what makes it so brilliant. I honestly didn’t want it to end and actually thought that Tiffy and Leon’s story has so much more in store after turning the last page.

I loved the concept of the living arrangement Leon comes up with by advertising for a flatmate but there are certain conditions; the person chosen can only live there when Leon is at work. He works as a nurse in a hospice and works nightshift therefore he sleeps during the day. Tiffy works during the day so you would think this is the perfect arrangement right!?

They slowly get to know each other without actually meeting face to face and their ‘post it notes’ are very amusing. I thought Beth brought these characters together in a way that gave suspense and drama. There are also some back stories going on amongst each character but I won’t go into details! There were definitely some laugh out loud moments and also times of frustration and suspense.

I was longing for Tiffy and Leon to just sort themselves out, but do they and what challenges do they come up against? I loved all of the characters but especially Tiffy and Leon. I love how Tiffy’s friends want what’s best for her and they stick by her through everything ❤️ The format of the book is brilliant in the way that the chapters alternate between Tiffy and Leon’s perspective and it was interesting to see what each person was exactly thinking.

‘The Flatshare’ is an entertaining story about love, friendship, hope and taking chances 😊 This is a story I will definitely read again and I highly recommend you read it too. I give ‘The Flatshare’ 5*/5*.

Thank you so much to Quercus Books for an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley.

The Flat Share is the perfect blend of humour, emotions and romance. It's sweet and heartwarming without being too cheesy, and the main characters - namely Tiffy and Leon (lovely Leon - definitely a new, perhaps slightly less conventional, heartthrob!) are so likeable, as well as Tiffy's friends and Leon's brother who is currently serving time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. All make this novel such an interesting, enjoyable read, and I didn't feel like any of the characters were too one-dimensional or stereotypical.

I loved the set up of this novel - Leon and Tiffy are flatmates who never, ever see each other and in fact have never even met... both are too strapped for cash to rent on their own, so Leon, who works night shifts, rents out his place to someone who works usual 9-5 shifts. That way, although they're sharing, they're not really flat mates as they'll never actually be in the flat at the same time!

What follows is a truly entertaining story of two people sort of meeting via post-it note, and realising they have a lot more in common! It's such a fresh storyline for this genre, which often uses the same story in different variants over and over again. Although some parts were of course predictable, I was surprised at how original this really was, and how little cheesiness there actually was (allowing for the fact that this is a romantic comedy/ drama).

The story also deals with some serious issues which I won't go into too much detail here, so as not to ruin any of the story. Beth O'Leary has skilfully managed to blend humour with these more serious parts, and resulted in a novel that manages to strike just the right balance. I loved it!

This was the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it very much. It was very well written and the characters were well thought out.

This was such a wonderful surprise of a book. I loved everything about it and getting to know Tiffy and Leon. The book just left me with a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Tiffy needs somewhere to stay and fast. Leon needs money and has the brilliant idea of renting out his flat (and his bed) whilst he works nights. They never need to meet - the flat is Leon’s during the day and Tiffy’s at night and weekends - a perfect solution.

Throw in a girlfriend, a jailbird brother, a creepy ex and some good friends for a good measure and this wonderful book is born.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

One of the funniest, most heartwarming books i’ve read in the last few years. Leon and Tiffy are delightful. Two characters sharing the same space (and bed) without actually meeting one another. They communicate via a ever increasing number of hilarious post-its and texts. But surely it’s impossible to live together and not fall in love? Brilliant side story of a brother wrongly imprisoned, abusive partners and long lost love. A truly beautiful read that I shall recommend to everyone!

Loved this book. Some laughter out loud moments...and a clever idea- though not sure I'd be keen on it!! An enjoyable read .

This is a beautiful and inspired romance. The pacing is just gorgeous, leading us through a step at a time, teasing and hinting, with a million postit notes. O'Leary's characters are realistic, hugely likeable and so easy to connect with, and the whole book has such a positive vibe, but in a realistic way, it really was a joy to read. I'll be reading it again for sure and looking out for more by the author.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a Netgalley copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love the two personalities and how different they are portrayed. The book is sweet and cute to read. I love both characters so much and found the book to be delightful.

Tiffy and Leon share a flat and a bed, but have never met. When I heard the premise of this book I was intrigued and knew I had to read it. And I'm so glad I did. If you are expecting some light fluffy rom com, you'll be pleasantly surprised. This is chick lit with substance and heart. It has many different layers to hold your attention, a possessive ex, a jailbird brother and the romance we are all invested in.

I loved the scenes and descriptions of the flat and the way Tiffy and Leon communicate through post it notes and cooking. A book about stepping outside your comfort zone, making yourself happy and never leaving it too late.

I loved this. Fresh and different. Early contender for book of my year. Loved all the characters (except for you Justin, you can get in the bin). This book had it all - from literal laugh out loud moments to scenes I had to read through my fingers. I want everyone to read this book and then chat about it with me. Surefire five stars.

I really loved it. The synopsis was so cute. I started a month ago but i had to put down due to life but i finished last 150 pages in two days. I really loved both protoganists and i loved their different relationship. It was a cute romance book but i loved how author wrote Tiffy and Leon's stories. Their journeys were amazing. It was a wonderful book. I can't wait to read Beth O'leary's next work.

This isn’t my usual type of book, but it kept cropping up in various places and the description really grabbed me. I was lucky enough to be gifted a copy to read and review.

I loved it. This book has so much heart. I devoured it in 3 days and every time I put it down I couldn’t wait to pick it up again.

It was so much more than just another chic lit romance novel, in fact I’d say it doesn’t really if in that category at all. Yes, there was romance but that wasn’t really the main focus of this wonderful story. if i had to pick one overarching theme I’d say it was self discovery and self belief.

Tiffy is finding out who she is after the end of an emotionally abusive relationship, Leon needs to work out what is important to him and how to accept that his beloved brother is in jail.

Watching them both heal slowly was wonderful. I adored how they went about sharing a flat without meeting each other and yet still becoming integral to the others life. The idea is frankly bonkers and shouldn’t have worked but it did and it was utterly charming.

The supporting cast are amazing as well, from Tiffy’s well meaning and slightly bossy best friend to Leon’s work patients and colleagues. Everyone is well rounded and delightfully written.

This book made me laugh and cry and I finished it feeling warm and fuzzy (in a good way). I highly recommend this one.

#TheFlatshare is such an amazing love story! Now, I figured out what the plot, twists & ending would be for Tiffy & Leon early on. That would usually irritate me, but in this case, the ride along the way was so worth it, knowing the destination didn’t hurt.

The character growth of Leon, and the fact that he is a decent, principled, loving man, who isn’t perfect and has his own storyline not just as a love interest, made him a male lead that I really rooted for.

Tiffy....oh god I love Tiffy! Her journey through the reality of her relationship with Justin was one of the best representations of a person coming to terms with those realisations that I have ever read. Shes loyal and kind, awkward and real.

I know this is chick lit, but Tiffy’s story will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley and the publisher for my free advance copy in return for an unbiased review.

This debut, in some ways, does what other novels have done before: there’s a boy, a girl, they fall in love, and they triumph over adverse situations. This may sound like a typical ‘chick-lit’ read. However, O’Leary does something quite different here, both in content and from, which makes The Flatshare an enjoyable read.

Tiffy is looking for somewhere to stay, having broken up with tyrannical (and sometimes quite wooden) boyfriend, Justin. She needs somewhere to live and comes across Leon - a palliative care nurse in a hospice. So far, so good - but it turns out that Tiffy will need to share Leon’s bed but not at the same time: when he goes to work, Tiffy returns home. In theory, they’ll never meet and their lives will carry on being as they have always been, apart from the fact two strangers are sharing a bed at separate times.

Leon has a girlfriend, Kay, and a brother in prison; Tiffy, who works for a publisher as an editor. Their lives continue as usual - until Kay and Leon break up and Justin becomes a major pain in Tiffy’s life.

O’Leary has written a book here that does have a happy ending. The alternate viewpoints - Leon and Tiffy - and the dialogue between characters makes this a less than conventional read. But it’s not just a romance: this deals with emotional abuse, gay love with a reconciliation after decades apart and the struggles that young people have when living in an expensive city in 2019. It’s not firmly rooted in setting but it doesn’t need to be. This is a novel about the intricacies of characters and how we learn so much about each other, through home baking, wardrobe choices and Post-it notes - and that’s without even seeing the other person.

Finishing ‘The Flatshare’ left me with a fuzzy feeling - but also made me realise the lengths some people go to in order to help others. Read this and enjoy.

O'Leary with natural charm. Her voice is compelling and easy to read, making this book a pleasant read. A truly interesting concept, The Flatshare is a unique romance, with lovely, genuine characters.

I can’t remember the last time I gave a romance book 5 stars. They just don’t seem to fully do it for me anymore. Well until The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary came along and stole my jaded heart.

Thanks to Quercus for giving me for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.

FIRST LINE OF THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O’LEARY

You’ve got to say this for desperation: it makes you much more open-minded.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O’LEARY

I’ve all the love for

- the unique blurb. It’s genius!
- the adorable characters that I immediately fell in love with, especially our leading duo Tiff and Leon
- the quirky friends who were loyal, hilarious and outspoken as the occasion demanded
- all the post-it notes, from funny to tender, I was smitten with them
- the chemistry and the lack of stupid misunderstanding which drives me crazy in most romance books.
- the heartwarming feels that I got watching love triumph (yes even this cynic was charmed.)

Beth O’Leary…you have a new fan! If you keep writing fun, unconventional books with delightful characters, I’ll be queueing up to read them.

WHO SHOULD READ THE FLATSHARE BY BETH O’LEARY ?

I’d highly recommend this to you, if you are looking for a light-hearted, fun book, that will give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings. Fans of authors like Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Carmel Harrington should also enjoy.

Tiffy answers an advert to share a flat with Leon. He has it during the day and she has it at night so they never meet. This unconventional flat share works for them and they forge a beautiful friendship. Soon the lines move and they start to realise that there could be more to their flat share.
This was a cracking read and I couldn’t keep myself away from it. Thank god for my train commute today! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is such a perfect, feel-good, moving, funny, tender story, all I wanted to do when I finished was share it with everyone I knew and immediately read it again. Despite it's semi-ludicrous concept (I know London renting is hard, but sharing a bed???), Beth O'Leary completely makes the story believable, and the quirky situation meshes so neatly with the protagonists' own natural quirks that the storyline quickly doesn't seem so outlandish...

Tiffy is an incredibly likable heroine - funny, unique, unapologetically herself - and I loved following her journey from start to end. What I thought was initially just a plot driver - her horrendous ex kicking her to the curb - develops into a much more serious theme, which is handled so well in the book and really added some originality and depth to the story.

Leon is, put simply, wonderful. I loved that he was so three-dimensional and not your standard romance hero; even though he's sweet and sensitive and compassionate (and more than a little socially awkward), he absolutely has his own confidence and is willing to say what he means and take a firm hand when necessary. Basically, he's the dream. And don't even get me started on his brother, Richie...

Tiffy and Leon are what really make this book special - though they both have their own idiosyncrasies and peculiarities, Beth O'Leary balances these so that it doesn't feel like that's the only thing that makes these characters who and what they are. I kept thinking of them as New Girl characters, but less in-your-face with their individuality (if that makes sense...). There are some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments in The Flatshare and it's usually always down to these two characters, though an honourable mention has to go out to their friends and family, who also have their brilliant moments.

This book is a romance with real heart. It's not afraid to tackle serious issues and does so in a meaningful way. We have tensions, conflicts and villains that aren't farcical (as can often be the case in this genre) and create real problems, balanced with a romance that builds from something that should be pure unbelievable silliness, but actually stems from new friendship based on communication.

If you like Sophie Kinsella, Julia Quinn (for the witty dialogue and repartee), Melissa Nathan and Gail Honeymoon, this is 100% the book for you.